The Confidential Bhagvatam

Title – The Confidential Bhagvatam
Date – 9 June 2026
Speaker – HH Lokanatha Swami Gurumaharaj

We are happy that the Mayapur Festival coordinators and organizers have made this Shravana Utsav an attraction, a special feature of the Mayapur Festival.

And we are happy. Are you happy that this Shravana Utsav is happening here? I am happy that you are attending and that you are here today. We welcome you.

It is kind of a marathon—a hearing marathon, a Shravana marathon. And you are getting lots of doses. This is the third one. You had breakfast and lunch, and now this is the dinner. Another speaker is preparing another meal for you, or rather, another nectar for you.

You have been taking advantage of this—hearing this nectar, drinking this nectar, and becoming nectarean in your consciousness, which is called Krishna consciousness.

By the end of this Shravana Utsav, you should become Mahatmas. Your atma should become maha—not just a big body, a “maha body,” but a Mahatma.

When we come to the Dham, our main business is to hear and chant, especially here in Mayapur Dham.

Sadhu-sanga, Nama-sankirtana, Bhagavata-shravana, Dhama-vasa, and Vigraha-aradhana are the five maha-angas of our devotional practices.

Sadhu-sanga, Nama-sankirtana, Bhagavata-shravana—we perform all of these in the Dham as Dhama-vasa. And then we worship Radha-Madhava ki jaya! Pancha-tattva ki jaya! Tulasi Devi ki jaya! Srila Prabhupada ki jaya!

Every speaker, of course, has a topic, and we also have a topic, which you have been hearing and reading about as part of the promotion.

What is our topic here?

Brihat Bhagavatamrita.

Brihat means grand or very great. Amrita means nectar. So Bhagavatamrita means the nectar of Bhagavata.

Srimad Bhagavatam itself is nectarean, and this is yet another scripture we are discussing—Brihat Bhagavatamrita, which is the essence of the Bhagavatam.

If you have been thinking that the Bhagavatam is nectarean, then just wait until you hear Brihat Bhagavatamrita. You will be amazed by the nectarean nature of this scripture.

This is the essence of the Bhagavatam, further condensed—just as milk is boiled down. Milk is nourishing and sweet, but when you boil it down, it becomes even more nourishing and sweeter, like the famous kshira of Gopinath.

Similarly, Brihat Bhagavatamrita is the condensed essence of the Bhagavatam.

This work was compiled in the 16th century by Srila Sanatana Goswami, the senior-most of the Six Goswamis of Vrindavan.Vande Rupa Sanatana Raghunatha, Sri Jiva, Gopala Bhatta, those Six Goswamis.

Amongst them, Sanatana is considered foremost, although we are Rupanugas. But even Rupa Goswami considered Sanatana Goswami as his spiritual master.

So, that’s Sanatana Goswami. He has left a great treasure in Hari-bhakti-vilasa, Krishna-lila-stava, and Dashama-charita, his commentary on the Tenth Canto of Srimad-Bhagavatam.

Amongst all the scriptures, the granthas that he compiled, Brihat Bhagavatamrita is at the top. This is his main contribution.

Sanatana Goswami is an associate of Sri Krishna Chaitanya Mahaprabhu in Gaura-lila. He is also one of the manjaris in Krishna-lila. Which manjari? Lavanga Manjari. There is another name also, as we hear from Sanatana Goswami.

We could say much more, but somewhere we have to say that Sanatana Goswami has left behind this Brihat Bhagavatamrita.

We are thankful and grateful, and by his mercy we beg at his lotus feet that, as we go through and do a little study of this Brihat Bhagavatamrita, the secrets, or the essence, of Bhagavat may be revealed unto us.

Srila Prabhupada has recommended the study of Brihat Bhagavatamrita. “Must,” he says, “must.”

Let me read to you what Srila Prabhupada wrote in the purport to Chaitanya Charitamrita, Adi-lila, Chapter 5, Text 203:

“Sri Sanatana Goswami Prabhu, the teacher of the science of devotional service, wrote several books, of which the Brihat Bhagavatamrita is very famous. Anyone who wants to know about the subject matter of devotees, devotional service, and Krishna must read this book.”

Must read—strongly recommended by Srila Prabhupada.

Elsewhere, in Antya-lila of Chaitanya Charitamrita, Srila Prabhupada writes again:

“First, Sanatana Goswami compiled the book called Brihat Bhagavatamrita to teach people how to become devotees, execute devotional service, and attain love of Krishna.”

Gopiparanadhana Prabhu, Srila Prabhupada’s dear disciple, also assisted Srila Prabhupada with the translations and commentaries of Srimad-Bhagavatam. He took great trouble and was a very knowledgeable devotee. He is no longer with us, as you know.

This is his work. He translated Brihat Bhagavatamrita into English, and BBT has kindly printed it. It has been available for some time now, and that is the edition we will be using for this presentation.

So, we are also thankful to Gopiparanadhana Prabhu.

A few introductory statements about Brihat Bhagavatamrita.What does it refer to? What is its origin? Who is the speaker and the listener? We want to read from Brihad Bhagavatamrita itself, the first chapter.

Uttara. Sri Uttara uvacha. Uttara is speaking. Oh, before we do that—this is not Uttara speaking. She will speak later.

Bhagavat-bhakti-shastranam ayam sarasya sangrahah. This is the compilation, or collection, of the essence of all Bhagavat-bhakti shastras. Just understand these terms as they are, without the need of translation. It is very difficult to translate them because you lose their import and deeper meaning. Still, we will try, as much as necessary and possible, to explain them.

Bhagavat-bhakti-shastra—you understand—the science of devotional service. And this is its essence, compiled and collected.

Shranvantu Vaishnavah shastram idam Bhagavatamritam. So the name Bhagavatamrita comes here, and there is an appeal: Shranvantu Vaishnavah—let the Vaishnavas listen to this shastra, this Bhagavatamrita.

First of all, this shastra, Brihad Bhagavatamrita, is for Vaishnavas, not for bhukti-kamis, mukti-kamis, siddhi-kamis, or the many other kinds of kamis. This is for the Vaishnavas.

We will not define who a Vaishnava is. Are you all Vaishnavas here? If you are a Vaishnava, raise your hand. What happened? Some of you are not Vaishnavas? Oh, good—you are Vaishnavis. Okay! All Vaishnavas and Vaishnavis, raise your hands. Still, some of you are not sure.

I was going to say, if you are a Vaishnava or Vaishnavi, please stay. Others may vacate. This is only for the Vaishnavas and Vaishnavis because something very confidential is going to be spoken.

Sugopyam praha yat premna Jaimini Janmejayam. It was spoken with love and devotion.

Who has spoken? Jaimini. Jaimini Rishi is the speaker, and he has spoken to Janmejaya. Who is Janmejaya? He is the son of Maharaja Parikshit.

Munindra Jaimini shrutva Bharatakhyanam adbhutam. Originally, this Brihad Bhagavatamrita is a part of the Mahabharata, or rather, it is a supplement to the Mahabharata.

A supplement is like an additional part published after the main book. The popular Mahabharata that we know and read today was spoken by Vaishampayana, and again, Janmejaya is the listener. That is the Mahabharata available today.

But there was another Mahabharata spoken by Jaimini, with the same listener, Janmejaya. That Mahabharata is not available, and its supplement was also not available. It has been made available by Sanatana Goswami, and that is Brihad Bhagavatamrita.

The present-day Mahabharata also has a supplement called Harivamsha. You have probably heard of Harivamsha. Likewise, Jaimini spoke the Mahabharata, and then came the supplement, which was Brihad Bhagavatamrita.

It was not available until Sanatana Goswami. It was revealed unto Sanatana Goswami. Sanatana Goswami, being a knower of the past, present, and future, received it by divine revelation—divya-jnana hridaya prakashita. Then he put it into writing, and that became Brihad Bhagavatamrita.

Now, this Brihad Bhagavatamrita, which was spoken by Jaimini to Janmejaya, was originally spoken by King Parikshit.

After King Parikshit had completed hearing Srimad Bhagavatam from Sukadeva Goswami, and as he was preparing to leave this world, that serpent, Takshaka, was making his way toward King Parikshit.And then, at that very moment, comes Uttara, the mother of King Parikshit. She wants to hear. She says, “Please tell me, what did you hear? What did you hear from Sukadeva Goswami?”

She had no access to that recitation. She was in the palace. But she came running, rushing toward the scene. She knew that this was about the time the purnahuti, the completion of the recitation of Srimad Bhagavatam, must have taken place, before her son left his body, left this world.

She came to see him, and then she made a special request: “Please share that nectar with me. Share the Bhagavatam with me.”

And then King Parikshit uvacha—King Parikshit spoke.

At least King Parikshit had seven days to hear. But how much time did Uttara have? Who knows? Maybe seven moments, seven seconds, seven minutes, or perhaps just a few moments.

Within that short span of time—we do not know how; it is inconceivable—King Parikshit spoke, and Uttara heard it. And here it is with us today: that speech, that narration of King Parikshit.

He was fully Krishna conscious. He was diving and swimming in the ocean of rasa. He was rasa-utsuka.

King Parikshit is speaking:

uvacha sa adaram raja Parikshit matru-vatsalah.

Raja Parikshit uvacha. Understood? Try to pick this up: Raja Parikshit uvacha.

The king, Raja Parikshit, spoke. Sa adaram—with great respect, especially for his own mother.

He is also described as matru-vatsalah—one who had great affection for his mother.

And that mother was shruta adbhuta Govinda-katha-akhyana rasa-utsukaha.

She was utsuka, very, very eager. Eager for what? Rasa-utsuka—very eager to hear and drink the rasa of Govinda-katha, the narration of Govinda’s pastimes.

And it is described as adbhuta Govinda-katha—wonderful, amazing narrations of Govinda.

Sanskrit is full of adjectives, so many beautiful descriptions. Govinda-katha—what kind of Govinda-katha? Adbhuta Govinda-katha.

She was eager to hear.

Are you eager also? Hmm? Not so much?

That is one of the qualifications of a listener. One has to be utsuka—very eager.

Brihad Bhagavatamrita is divided into two parts, and it has two heroes.

Narada Muni is the hero of the first part, and Gopa Kumar is the hero of the second part of Brihad Bhagavatamrita.

You all know Narada Muni. Narada Muni ki jaya!

Narada Muni is a global traveler. Some of you may be preachers, but we preach only on one planet. Narada Muni preaches through interplanetary travel—from one planet to another, not merely from one country or one continent to another.

He can travel from this world to another world.

You may remember that there was once an airline in America called TWA—Trans World Airlines. It did not actually transcend even this planet, let alone the material universe. It was simply a name.

But Narada Muni is truly a transcendental traveler and preacher. He transcends planets, universes, and even travels to Vaikuntha, moving between Vaikuntha and the material universes.

That Narada Muni is the hero, the explorer, and the seeker of truth in the first section.

The second section features Gopa Kumar, a simple but pure-hearted devotee. He is a wonderful personality. He also travels, exploring higher and higher spiritual realms.

The first part of Brihad Bhagavatamrita contains seven chapters.

The first is called Bhuma—this earthly planet.

The second is called Divya—the heavenly planets, the deva-lokas.

The third is called Prapanchatita. Prapancha refers to this material creation made of the five gross elements. Prapanchatita means beyond the material creation.

The fourth chapter is called Bhakta—the devotees.

The fifth is called Priya—the dear devotees.

The sixth chapter is called Priyatama—the most dear devotee.

And the seventh chapter is called Purna—the complete.

Of course, we have limited time, and there is no way we can complete the study of the entire Brihad Bhagavatamrita.

So we shall do a little sampling—take a small section, a small portion, and relish that.That is what we can do. If we were here to stay forever, then we could have continued. Even a dog could take part in it—you saw it.

So, Narada Muni, whenever he comes across or hears about some devotee, he goes there and glorifies that devotee to his heart’s content. “You are the top. You are the best. There is no one equal to you.” He says all this.

But then that devotee says, “No, no, no. That is not true. Look over there. That person is even greater, better, superior—a higher-grade devotee. Please go to him.”

Then Narada rushes there and glorifies that person so much. But then that person says, “No, no, not me. I’m sorry. Look over there.”

Narada Muni runs there.

Like this, every time he meets a devotee, that devotee says, “No, no, so-and-so is a better one. You should meet him.”

Thus begins Narada Muni’s travels, exploration, evaluation, and glorification.

He first meets a Brahmin in Prayag, who was holding a festival where Shalagrama Shila was being worshipped. There was a festival, lots of prasada distribution, and many devotional activities.

Narada Muni goes there.

But that Brahmin says, “No, no, no. Go to that king in South India.”

So Narada goes to South India.

But that king—a rajarshi, a saintly king and great devotee—says, “No, no, not me. Go to heaven.”

Thus, in the first chapter, Bhauma, we hear about the Brahmin in Prayag and the king in South India.

Then Narada Muni goes to the heavenly planets.

That king had said, “Indra is a very extraordinary devotee.”

But Indra says, “No, no. Go to Brahma.”

So Narada meets Indra and then Brahma in the heavenly planets.

Brahma says, “No, no. Go to Kailasa. Shiva is the one—Vaishnavanam yatha Shambhuh.”

But when Narada goes to Kailasa, Lord Shiva says, “No, no. The devotees in Hari-dhama, Vaikuntha-dhama, are even superior to me.”

Then, while Narada Muni is in Vaikuntha, he is told, “Go down there. See Bhakta Prahlada in the Sutala planets.”

Prahlada says, “No, no, no. Go to Kimpurusha-varsha. Hanuman is the great servant of the Lord.”

So Narada meets Bhakta Prahlada and then Bhakta Hanuman, the great devotee of Lord Rama.

Hanuman says, “You should go to Bharata-varsha, to the earthly planet. Those Pandavas are great devotees. The Lord spent so much time with those five Pandavas.”

Narada Muni then goes to Hastinapura.

The Pandavas say, “No, no. The Lord spends only some time with us. He comes and goes. But there is one devotee who is always with Him—Uddhava.”

“Uddhava is a great devotee. He is like the Lord’s shadow. Wherever the Lord goes, he goes. He wears the same clothing as the Lord—the Lord’s maha-prasada garments. He never goes to the tailor. When the Lord discards some clothes, Uddhava picks them up and wears them.”

“He also looks very much like the Lord. He is svarupa-siddha, the Lord’s minister, friend, cousin, and so much more. He is the one. You should go to him.”

“And these days you will find him in Dvaraka.”

So Narada Muni goes to Dvaraka.

Just now we have summarized five chapters. With this speed, we are now going to slow down.

During the few days that we have together to study Brihad Bhagavatamrita, we shall read Chapter Six, and if possible, Chapter Seven, or at least part of Chapter Seven.

The sixth chapter is called Priyatama.

Priya, Priyatara, Priyatama—good, better, best.

Earlier chapters described Priya, the dear devotees. Now this chapter speaks about the Priyatama, the most dear devotee.

Is the translation going okay with the Russian devotees? Everything okay?

Amar Bangla bhasha bhakta-bhakta bhalo achen? Thik achen?

Tat shrutva…

And now, as throughout this narration, we again hear:

Sri Parikshit uvacha.